Episode 14 of "Friendly Rivalry" seamlessly continues from its thrilling cliffhanger, with Je-yi stepping cautiously towards Seul-gi. The revelation unfolds like a intricate chess move—Ye-ri was behind the recording, subtly inserting Seul-gi's mention of Je-na's surgical tape. However, this intricate web is but a decoy, designed to lure Tae-jun into Seul-gi's sights. She intends to shadow his every step, hoping it will lead her to Je-na.
The landscape is dotted with eavesdropping devices, their presence undetected yet omnipresent. Je-yi's sharp instincts kick in when she realizes her own dog's collar might harbor one such device. As she plays back the incriminating footage captured, she stumbles upon a shocking revelation: her father had orchestrated a visit from her mother to Je-na, aiming to "realign her perspective."
The following day, Seul-gi and Je-yi embark on a stakeout, tailing Je-yi's mother's vehicle in the belief that it holds the key to Je-na's whereabouts. They enlist Choi Gyeong to relay a message to Je-yi's mother, planning to have Je-na testify at an impending court hearing. Yet, the tables turn, revealing their pursuit as a setup, leaving them empty-handed.
As Seul-gi and Je-yi part ways, Seul-gi's stepmother casts a wary eye on Je-yi, sensing her meddling in their concealed agendas. Tragedy strikes when Seul-gi and her stepmother are involved in a harrowing accident, the scene unfolding on Je-yi's phone screen via Tae-jun's surveillance. It transpires that the car's wheels were sabotaged, a grim attempt on their lives, with Tae-jun emerging as a prime suspect.
Tae-jun whisks Je-yi to a secluded locale, where Je-na is held captive, her movements restricted by leg sensors that trigger alarms at the slightest shift. Je-na's frail state paints a picture of despair. Tae-jun unmasks a startling truth: Je-na was the one who ended Seul-gi's father's life, prompting Tae-jun to isolate her from society. He boasts of "erasing her memories," a chilling admission.
Back at school the next day, Seul-gi's anxiety spikes as Je-yi fails to materialize. Her search becomes desperate, spanning every corner, until she finally discovers Je-yi engrossed in studies at her father's clinic. Je-yi drops a bombshell, confessing she strategically approached Seul-gi, using her as a pawn to expose her father's dark deeds. She insists their friendship was a facade, issuing a stark warning to desist from seeking Je-na. The episode concludes on this chilling note, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
